Tag: podcast

I’m not sure where this month has gone. I’ve been meaning to write this post all year. Better late than never.

2016 was an amazing year for my productivity. I wrote ten short stories (more than ever in a single year!), made some good headway into my previously-languishing novel, and sent out 120 submissions. That’s about three times as many as the previous year. As a result of all that writing and submitting, I have more current subs out than I’ve ever had at once, which makes me feel like I’m doing this writing thing properly.

I also had four publications: two originals and two reprints, which is nice and symmetrical. My stories ‘Her Glimmering Facade’ and ‘Candy Comfort’ appeared in Deep Magic and Daily Science Fiction respectively. ‘Daddy’s Girl’ was reissued in glorious audio form at The Overcast, while ‘Rule of Five’ had its third publication in the all-female horror anthology Killing It Softly.

‘Candy Comfort’ and ‘Her Glimmering Facade’ are both awards eligible this year. If you’re reading for awards, I’d love you to consider them. ‘Candy Comfort’ is available to read for free via the link above, and as ‘Facade’ is behind a paywall, I’d be happy to send a copy to anyone who’s planning to vote. Just let me know in the comments.

2017 is off to a good start, as I’ve already written four flash stories and sent out thirteen subs. Let’s start as we mean to go on!

I’m delighted to report that my science fiction story, ‘Daddy’s Girl’, which first appeared in Crossed Genres, is now out once more at The Overcast. This is my second reprint story and my second audio sale. Hearing your stories read aloud by professional voice artists is such a great experience, and The Overcast‘s J. S. Arquin has the most wonderful reading voice. He’s truly done this story proud, and I couldn’t be happier with its production.

He also has very kind things to say about the piece, including that it has one of his ‘all-time favourite first sentences’: Daddy lived in the cupboard under the stairs. It’s lovely to know when your stories have made such a great impression on someone.

You can listen to it online, or download it onto your media player of choice. The Overcast produce some terrific story podcasts, so if you enjoy ‘Daddy’s Girl’, please check out some of their other productions.

In other story happenings, I’ve recently made two more pro sales, and hope to share details of them soon.

My first-ever audio publication is now out at Pseudopod! ‘Rule of Five’ is a psychological horror piece that explores the stress and pressure of living with OCD. It was first published in Bete Noire in May 2012. I was really looking forward to hearing it read aloud, and the podcast’s presenter, Alasdair Stuart, has done a marvellous job. He thoroughly delivers the menacing, creepy aspect of the story and I found the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as I listened (even though I kinda know how the story progresses…). He finishes the podcast with a personal anecdote that sums the whole thing up perfectly and absolutely nails the point I intended to make with this story.

All in all, I’m really impressed with how it turned out and delighted that I now get to share this story with a wider market. It’s free to download or stream through the site, so go and listen or load it onto your MP3 player to while away a journey to work. If you enjoy it, consider throwing Pseudopod a donation to keep up their great work. They’re an excellent market for reprints as well as new stories, and everything I’ve heard from them so far has been a top notch production.